44. SCOTUS

Timbs v. Indiana, USSC No. 17-1091, February 20, 2019, reversing State v. Timbs, 84 N.E.3d 1179 (Ind. 2017); Scotusblog page (including links to briefs and commentary) “The question presented: Is the Eighth Amendment’s Excessive Fines Clause an ‘incorporated’ protection applicable to the States under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause?” The answer: Yes. Like the Eighth… Read more

Garza v. Idaho, USSC No. 17-1026, reversing Garza v. State, 405 P.3d 576 (Idaho 2017);  Scotusblog page (includes links to briefs and commentary) This case involved two plea agreements that included clauses stating that Garza waived his right to appeal. After sentencing, Garza told his lawyer that he wanted to appeal, but his lawyer refused… Read more

Fortunately, Wisconsin does not have the death penalty. However, On Point readers might find this SCOTUS decision Madison v. Alabama, interesting. The government cannot execute a prisoner who is insane or is so mentally ill that he can’t understand the State’s rationale for executing him. Ford v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 399 (1986) and Panetti v. Quarterman… Read more

Gerald Mitchell v. Wisconsin, USSC No. 18-6210, certiorari granted 1/11/19 Question presented: Whether a statute authorizing a blood draw from an unconscious motorist provides an exception to the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement. Decision below: State v. Mitchell, 2018 WI 84, __ Wis. 2d __, 914 N.W.2d 151. USSC Docket Scotusblog page (including links to briefs… Read more

Terance Martez Gamble v. United States, USSC No. 17-646, certiorari granted 6/28/18 Question presented: Whether the Court should overrule the “separate sovereigns” exception to the Double Jeopardy Clause. Decision below: United States v. Gamble, 694 Fed Appx 750 (11th Cir. 2017) (unpublished) USSC Docket Scotusblog page (including links to briefs and commentary) The “separate sovereigns”… Read more

Carpenter v. United States, USSC No. 16-402, 2018 WL 3073916, reversing United States v. Carpenter, 819 F.3d 880 (6th Cir. 2016); Scotusblog page (includes links to briefs and commentary) This one is a big deal. It’s impossible to say just where the law will go from here, but it’s clear there will be a lot of… Read more

Currier v. Virginia, USSC No. 16-1348, 2018 WL 3073763, June 22, 2018, affirming State v. Currier, 779 S.E.2d 834 (Va. App. 2015), reasoning adopted by 798 S.E.2d 164 (Va. 2016); Scotusblog page (includes links to briefs and commentary) A defendant who agrees to have overlapping charges considered in two separate trials cannot invoke the doctrine of issue preclusion adopted in Ashe… Read more